Fire-escape



(No Model.) 7

FIRE ESCAPE.

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PATENT Fries.

ALBERT P. STURTEVANT, OF NORWICH, CONNECTICUT.

Fl R E-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 276,780, dated May 1, 1883. Application filed February 27, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT P. STURTE- VANT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norwich, in the county of New London and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanyingdrawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to a fire-escape; and the novelty consists in the construction and arrangement of parts, as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, and specifically pointed out in the claim;

The object of the invention is to produce an efficient means of escaping from a burning building, one which shall combine simplicity and cheapness of manufacture and simplicity and certainty in manipulation and use; and to these ends it consists in the mechanical means fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the device, and Fig. 2 a similar view, showing the device inoperation.

Referring to the drawings, A represents one side of a window-frame, to which is properly secured a bracket, B, having rounded upper edge, I), hook b, and a spring, N, which, being secured above the bracket, has its free end bearing with a constant force against the end of the hook thereof to prevent the disengagement of a rope, O, which is of length greater than twice the distance from the said bracket to the ground, and which passes over the rounded portion 11.

D represents a strong belt of leather or other proper material, an d it is adapted to be buckled around the person of the operator so as to lie when in position for use under the arms. It is provided with a loop, E, from which leads a strap or cord,f, carrying a stirrup, F, adapted to receive the foot of the operator, and also another strap or cord, g, which connects the belt with a flexible friction-tube, Gr, through which the rope 0 passes. The length of the rope or strap g is such that when extended it will not allow the tube G to pass from the reach of the person within the belt.

The bracket A is arrangedto be a permanent part of the hotel, factory, or other building, and it may serve a useful purpose as a support for flower-baskets, bird-cages, &c., when not in use as a portion of a fire-escape.

The rope, belt, and attachments are light, cheap, and may be carried conveniently in a trunk, or be a part of the furniture of a room.

The operator in descending stands upright, and the friction-tube is always within reach. This said tube. is adapted to be grasped by the hand, and by bending it sufficiently a proper amount of friction is readily imparted to the rope. The stirrup serves a useful purpose, as set forth, and the free end of the rope maybe manipulated by persons on the ground to hold the descending party away from the flames which break through lower windows or porches,

verandas, 860., as well as to. elevate the belt for the use of others in descending.

Various devices for a similar purpose have been designed; but the great desideratasimplicity and safety-are rarely attained. Most of the contrivances put forth are complicated or of such difficult operation that to scared nervous people they are useless. hen devices of this character are brought into requisition the persons who use them are generally in a state of frenzy, and absolute safety in operation is ofgreatimportance. With these facts in view, I have rendered the only essential steps necessary to successful escape from fire to be to apply the belt, grasp the flexible friction-tube, throw the rope over the hook, the loose rope to the ground, and pass out of the window. In case of fainting or absence of thought, the tube, even ifnot held by the party descending will serve to impede the fall, and save life, and the resisting friction may be so arranged as to prevent serious damage in such emergency.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

The belt D, having a stirrup, f F, and a flexible friction-tube, G, connected thereto by a strap,g, in combination with the rope O, and hooked bracket B b, and spring W, as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT P. STURTEVANT.

Witnesses:

JOSEPH HYDE, WM. K. SHAW. 

